Wednesday, July 31, 2013

"Waiting On" Wednesday - Charming

"Waiting On"  Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on...  

Charming by Elliott James

* Book will be released September 24, 2013
Check out the description from Barnes & Noble:

"John Charming isn't your average Prince...

He comes from a line of Charmings -- an illustrious family of dragon slayers, witch-finders and killers dating back to before the fall of Rome. Trained by a modern day version of the Knights Templar, monster hunters who have updated their methods from chain mail and crossbows to Kevlar and shotguns, John Charming was one of the best--until a curse made him one of the abominations the Knights were sworn to hunt.

That was a lifetime ago. Now, John tends bar under an assumed name in rural Virginia and leads a peaceful, quiet life. That is, until a vampire and a blonde walked into his bar..."

This looks like an interesting start to a series.  I'm a big fan of mythology and always like to check out how myths are made new via fantasy/urban fantasy books.  The whole knight turned into a monster character looks like it'll be an intriguing read.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Audiobook Awesomeness

I’m finally realizing why people love audiobooks so much, the audiobooks I tried before couldn’t keep my attention/had boring readers. Recently I’ve had a really great listening/reading streak.

I recently finished Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson. I had already read the book but it’s even more hilarious in audio form because it’s read by the author.  Hearing about everything really does differ/change they way that you look a the book.

I just started listening to The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan.  I adore the Percy Jackson books and have been wanting to start this series for a long time. I figured why not try the audiobook instead.  This book has a great reader and I’ve been pulled right into the story.  I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to read it.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Question of the Day - Do you listen to music while you read?


I used to be able to listen to music or TV while reading but now I find it a lot harder to concentrate unless it's quiet.  

So what's your preferred reading environment?

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Top 5 Sundays - Books I Couldn't Help But Buy... But Are Still on My TBR!

This feature was thought up by the awesome Larissa's Bookish Life
Rules:

1 - Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.
2 - Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.
3 - Feel free to use the Features image
4 - After you've finished your post, add your link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.
5 – If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)   


Top 5 Sundays - Books I Couldn't Help But Buy... But Are Still on My TBR!

I still can't wait to read all of these books but just haven't found the time to read any of them yet...





Saturday, July 27, 2013

Weekend Read - Quarantine #2: The Saints

Quarantine #2: The Saints by Lex Thomas


* Received from the publisher for review.

The first book of this series was insane and I can’t wait to see where this second book goes with the characters.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Marvelous Mess

A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin


* Received from the publisher for review. 


4 out of 5 gnomes

This book was a great read.  It takes a look at a myriad of serious issues and shows people they aren’t alone with their problems.  

It has a really great dual point of view because Emmy and Justin both have very different problems but they and everyone around them have to come to terms with their actions and what brought them to Heartland Academy.  

I love that this book expertly mixes both funny, sad, and sarcasm.  It doesn’t feel like you’re being preached to like in some other books about important issues it just feels like you learn along with the characters and realize before they do that they do indeed have problems.

When you read you’ll find yourself immersed in the story and rooting for all of the characters to succeed.  Figuring out what exactly is wrong with all the characters is both interesting and surprising.

I love the anger management group that brings all the characters together and the fateful trip that leads to some sincere moments and one heck of a funny/difficult situation for them all.  

Emmy and Justin feel like very realistic characters and it’s great to see them grow throughout the book.  They both learn to be better people and to stop blaming others.

The ending was extremely unexpected but left the characters going in the right direction.  I liked that they are essentially still on their journey to recovery and that the book doesn’t have an easy ending. 

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Sentence Sneak Peek - A Really Awesome Mess

A Really Awesome Mess by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin
 
The first sentence from each chapter of A Really Awesome Mess, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.

* Spoilers are highlighted like so :)
* Received from the publisher for review. 

“HOME CRAPPY HOME,” I WHISPERED UNDER MY BREATH.”

“ACETAMINOPHEN.”

“SO WHAT CLASSES ARE YOU TAKING THIS QUARTER?”

“SECOND SUMMER TERM HERE WAS APPARENTLY LIGHT ON THE academics.”

“AFTER MY FAILED POST-DINNER PURGING ATTEMPT, THERE WAS the failed attempt after study hall, the one during reflective time, and the one right before bed.”

“BACK IN THE ROOM, I WAS EXAMINING MY BRUISES IN THE mirror, and Mohammed was smiling.”

“IN THE CAF THE NEXT MORNING, MOHAMMED TRIED ONCE AGAIN to keep us on track with all the “all for one and one for all” setup Tina had instituted after the brawl by using a combo platter of intimidation and guilt.”

“NOBODY KNEW WHO WAS GOING TO BLOW IT FOR US.”

“TWO DAYS A WEEK, INSTEAD OF STUDY HALL I WENT TO A ONE-ON-one session with my assigned therapist.”

“THE WEEK ENDED WITHOUT INCIDENT AND, AS PROMISED, WE ALL got our rewards.”

“IT’S NEVER GOING TO WORK.”

“SO IT HAD COME TO THIS.”

“THE RIDE TO THE FAIR WAS LONG, FLAT, AND BORING.”

“I WOKE UP WHEN THE VAN STOPPED.”

“SO WHAT’S ON THE MENU FOR THE SKELETON?”

“I HAD TO HAND IT TO HER.”

“AFTER CHECKING OUT THE PIGS—NONE WERE GETTING MASSAGES, playing soccer, or jamming out to tunes like Jenny’s Pigs Rule list suggested they might be—we hit the hot dog eating contest.”

“I WASN’T REALLY SURE WE WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PULL OFF any kind of porcine great escape.”

“I WOKE UP WITH A START AND REALIZED I’D BEEN DROOLING ON Justin’s shoulder for God knows how long.”

“THERE WAS SOMETHING IN THE AIR AT ASSLAND.”

“ONCE THE LAUNDRY TRUCK/FOOD DELIVERY PIGGY BREAKOUT plan got nixed, we spent most of our free time brainstorming other dumb ideas.”

“I GOT TO BE THE GETAWAY DRIVER.”

“THE FARM ASYLUM—OR AT LEAST THE PLACE I ASSUMED WAS THE Farm Asylum based on what I’d seen earlier on the GPS—was a little speck at the end of the field.”

“WHEN WE CAME UP FOR AIR, I LOOKED INTO EMMY’S EYES, AND I got it.”

“WELL, THIS COULDN’T GET MORE AWKWARD,” I WHISPERED TO Justin as we walked toward our parents, therapists, and two cops.”

“I WATCHED ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AS EMMY HAD HER REUNION with her family.”

MR. AND MRS. MAGNUSSON, EMMY AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING A lot on communication,” Brittany told my parents when we got back to her office.”

“THE ALL-DAY THERAPY SESH WENT JUST ABOUT AS WELL AS I could have hoped.”

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

"Waiting On" Wednesday - Quick Fix

"Waiting On"  Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on... 

Quick Fix by Linda Grimes

* Book will be released August 20, 2013
Check out the description from Barnes & Noble:


"QUICK FIX—the second installment of the original urban fantasy series by LINDA GRIMES.

Ciel Halligan, an aura adaptor with a chameleon-like ability to step into the lives of her clients and fix their problems for them—as them—is working a job at the National Zoo with her boyfriend, Billy, and his ten-year-old sister, Molly. It's supposed to be a quick fix, giving her time to decide if it's wise to pursue the romantic relationship her charming scoundrel of a best friend wants, or if she should give Mark, the CIA spook she's crushed on since hormones first rattled her pubescent brain, a chance to step up to the plate."

The first book in this series was both interesting and fun.  The whole ability of being an adaptor is intriguing because this is a power that could easily be used for good or evil.  This looks like it'll be another great story and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Eager Earthbound

Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike

* Received from the publisher for review.

3 gnomes out of 5 gnomes

Earthbound you have a great premise, you really do.  The thing is I was more than a little confused by you and what the heck was going on.  

You went and drew me in with your main character who seems like a great person who’s been dealt a horrible tragedy.  I was all for rooting for Tavia and seeing what she was going to do next/how she was going to move on with her life.  She is quite the character and it takes her awhile but she does find some real initiative in her life and wants to know her true purpose.

I was even all for the love interest at first and then it becomes a love triangle (a very strange love triangle but still a triangle.)  This triangle will definitely have you rooting more for one side over the other.  

All the paranormal/weirdness of this book intrigued me at first but it also confused the heck out of me.  I am looking forward to finding out more about this world and if Tavia really has a right choice in all of this.

I would like more power from the bad guys and an explanation for what they believe.  I’m not usually able to see twists in books as far ahead of time as I did with Earthbound, the main character has to be pretty darn dense not to figure out that somethings going on sooner.

I really liked your ending Earthbound because you switched things up in a good way and made me actually wonder what’s going to happen next. I look forward to the next book and am hoping there’s more explanation and that Tavia continues to grow as an awesome character. 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Sentence Sneak Peek - Earthbound

Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike


The first sentence from each chapter of Earthbound, it's a mini summary of what you can expect to read.

* Spoilers are highlighted like so :)
* Received from the publisher for review. 

I remember the plane going down.”

Therapy is the epitome of the best and worst of everything in my life.”

Usually my nightmares are about the crash, about those moments I don’t remember.”

I don’t see Benson when I enter the library—not entirely unheard of, he does occasionally have to do actual work.”

The route from the library to the physical therapy center takes me up Park Street, through an old section of town.”

“Hey, Tave,” Jay says as I slide into the passenger seat, my leg throb-bing from ankle to hip.”

He doesn’t seem to take any notice of me as I walk up, blinking furi-ously and trying to make sure I actually see him.”

Where are you?

“So have you seen him again?”

It’s pouring by the time our session is done.”

Benson parks against the curb in front of his off-campus house and by the time he gets around to my door, I’m already out and shifting from foot to foot, anxious to get inside.”

But instead of talking, he pulls out his cell phone.”

Despite vehement protests about the rain—which, of course, started up again about two minutes after I got into Benson’s car, stupid weather—I make Benson drop me off down the street from the house.”

My lungs ache—I can’t breathe.”

I’m exhausted already.”

Fear courses through me and I avoid looking at him and start walking toward the library.”

I check the gap in the curtains for about the hundredth time—Benson still isn’t here.”

I’ve tried every key twice, and the door to Reese’s office remains stub-bornly locked.”

I don’t think.”

My thoughts and I are silent for the first few minutes as we drive along.”

I’m not sure why I’m not telling Benson the truth about where we’re go-ing.”

I don’t expect to fall asleep quickly; I figure I’ll spend hours drowning in fruitless self-pity.”

We walk—Quinn heading roughly back in the direction of Cam-den, but still deep within the trees—for what feels like hours.”

I focus on the news on the television the next morning.”

“Hey, Baklava, we’re here,” Benson says, poking my ribs.”

I wake in a comfortable darkness, floating slowly out of a haze to the sight of an orange sun piercing through a canopy of nearly bare-branched trees.”

The door’s still ajar.”

“I don’t think I can drive,” I say when we finally catch sight of Reese’s car half an hour later through the swirling gusts of sharp, icy winds.”

Five minutes later I step into a scalding shower and sigh in sheer plea-sure.”

He’s beautiful in the morning sunlight.”

Quinn’s lips are indescribably soft on mine, and I’m half-afraid I’ll die from the burst of ecstasy that surges through me.”

Sobs are racking my body before I realize I’ve started crying.”

The instant the metal touches my skin, I’m in a whirlwind of light and color that flashes before my eyes, brilliant, excruciating, blind-ing in its radiance.”

“You need to find him, don’t you?”

“Let’s all stay calm,” Jay says in a soft, even tone that makes me want to reach out and smack him.”

“The virus?”

Something inside me wrenches away control of my mind and I fall to one knee.”

I’m lying on something hard and lumpy and my clothing is slightly damp, making the freezing wind all the more biting.”

No one could have survived an explosion like that.”

“Phoenix!”